Pet shop owners hand over reins after two decades
After more than 20 years of helping people choose their first pet, Planet Pet and Aquarium owners Christine and Kathryn Molloy are handing over the reins.
The pair said a tearful goodbye to their staff last Friday as the new owner prepared to take on the business.
The mother-daughter team took over Wonderland of Pets in 1994 when it was a franchise, but after a few years they decided to buy it out.
They rebranded it to Planet Pet and Aquarium and never looked back, but Christine Molloy said it took about six years before they were really on track.
"We decided to make the break to start off new and do things our way, and not the way of the franchise because we weren't happy with the way it was run," she said.
"I'm just trying to take my mind off things now. I'm just sort of realising I'm not going to go to work."
She said she would particularly miss the steady flow of new and regular customers.
"It wasn't a normal shop. The customers become your friend and you get to know them, and the atmosphere is just wonderful," she said.
"It's like my right arm has been cut off."
Ms Molloy looked back fondly over the past 20 years, which she said was not affected by downturns like other businesses in the region.
"It's been a real privilege to be a part of someone's life and the decision of getting their first pet," she said.
"We've seen people that have come in grumpy and unhappy and wouldn't say a word to you and just walk around the shop.
"Then, after they buy a pet, it's just amazing to watch their transformation into a totally different person - 100 per cent pets are fantastic for people."
With a heavy heart, she said it was just time to move on and the business needed "fresh eyes".
Talking about her favourite pets over the 20 years, Ms Molloy said Claude the ginger cat was a standout and every- one knew him around town.
The passing of Agro the galah in recent weeks was rather timely, with the decision to hand over the shop to a new owner.
"We'd like to think he knew we were leaving," Ms Molloy said.
With no plans to leave town, Ms Molloy said it was really hard to let go of their beloved shop, but she wanted to thank their customers, who "were like family".
Kathryn Molloy, meanwhile, has enjoyed a well-deserved holiday in Queensland.
